AUTUMN SONG.
[TRANSLATED FROM LUDWIG TLECK.]
IxTo the fields flew a little bird; In the joyous sunshine his song was heard; And wondrous sweet was the sound of his lay. "Farewell, I am going !" it seemed to say,— " Far, far away Must I travel to-day."
To that sweet field-music I lent an ear; It made me sorry and glad to hear ; With an aching joy, with a gladsome pain, My heart rose lightly, then sank again.
"Say heart, say heart, Art thou breaking for pleasure, or breaking for pain?"
The leaves around me fell sadly down, Then I said, " Alas ! the Autumn is nigh ! The summer swallow has homeward flown. Perchance, thus love and longing fly,—
Far, far and swift, With time they drift."
But the sunshine streamed around me anew ; Back to me quickly the little bird flew, And sang, as he saw my falling tears,— " Love knows no winter in his years.
Nay, nay !
For Love, there is no such thing; It is, and it must be always, Spring !" L. T. M.
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